Let's talk about cast nets....

So, I don't have a cast net. I threw one for the first time the other day. How many of you catch your own bait to crappie fish with?

3/8 mesh seems to be the most common size of net out there. Admittedly I know nothing about this, but wouldn't 1/4" mesh be more suited for catching crappie sized minnows?

I'd imagine that a 1/4" mesh would sink more slowly than a 3/8" mesh. Does that keep you from catching minnows as often? I guess I'm asking do the minnows swim out from under the net or is their escape response to swim up?

Am I just going to catch larger bait with a cast net and it's not worth fooling with for crappie fishing?

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

... not worth fooling with for crappie fishing?

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This, IMO ^^^^^

The game and fish commissions have put out warnings across states that have Asian carp populations to put them on ice or in a
dry cooler to be sure they are dead before bringing them to a lake that is carp free. The small ones look almost identical to young
shad.

It is the fastest way to gather bait once you've located the source.
1/4" mesh would be best for small minnows for Crappie fishing.
Sink rate is faster with large mesh size, but the lead line is also a factor.
Cheap nets have less lead than better more expensive ones.
Remember that a 6' net has a 12' radius when spread out.
A cheap net in my opinion is next thing to being useless, and a pretty decent one will pay for lots of minnows.
I paid $90 each for a 5' 1/4" and a 6' 3/8" custom Tim Wade nets about 5 years ago.
Frankly I can buy a days worth of Crappie minnows for $5 and get free information, so I don't even bother using them.
At 20 to 25 dollars a dozen for shiners, id consider doing that.

All that has been said so far I know to be true. I’ve been around em since the early 70’s. A person would think that I would have learned to throw one by now, but I have not. One of those smarter than what you’re working with things. Salt water guys wouldn’t be without one. What came to mind is Mississippi. Folks out that way use small shiners like most of us use minnows. One gent told me that he buys 5 lbs of shiners to pick out a pound to a pound and a half of really big ones. I don’t know much but I’m sure that would get pricey on a regular basis. I think that regular minnows would be a choice you had to make but for the unusual I would give it no brainer status. Even cheap ones last a good while if kept out of the sun so it might be worth a shot to see if it fits your needs.

Thanks for the replies. One thing for me is that we only have one store that keeps bait in the summer. When I want to go north on the lake fishing, which is most of the time, I have to drive 30 or more minutes out of the way just to get minnows. I may get one just to play with but spending $100 on something to play with is the problem....

I could buy 2 more rods for that. :)

IMHO .... they are good to have, at times, but you can't always depend on them for catching Shad.

You are correct that a 3/8" mesh net is the most common size you'll find in local stores, and they're not going to catch Shad of a small enough size. A 1/4" mesh net will work better. I have both, and have used both, and that's been my experience with them. Both of my nets are 6' diameter nets, and I've thrown them from a boat & caught Shad that were schooled on the surface. The biggest problem I encountered was keeping them alive, once caught (not having the proper shaped holding tank).

Yes, the 1/4" mesh net will fall a little slower, and a 6' diameter net isn't going to fill the tank with bait in one throw, in most cases.

I bought my 3/8" mesh net (probably) from Walmart, but had to order the 1/4" mesh net from The Nylon Net Co. ... decades ago ... and it's probably been a couple of decades since I last used them. So, knowing what I know now, would I buy one today .... probably not. nonono

Please, Please, Please don't catch minnows in one lake or body of water and take them ANYWHERE else. Catch minnows where you fish and no where else. The Asian carp disaster is beyond description. Baby carp look just like baby shad.

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Originally Posted by yobuck

It is the fastest way to gather bait once you've located the source.
1/4" mesh would be best for small minnows for Crappie fishing.
Sink rate is faster with large mesh size, but the lead line is also a factor.
Cheap nets have less lead than better more expensive ones.
Remember that a 6' net has a 12' radius when spread out.
A cheap net in my opinion is next thing to being useless, and a pretty decent one will pay for lots of minnows.
I paid $90 each for a 5' 1/4" and a 6' 3/8" custom Tim Wade nets about 5 years ago.
Frankly I can buy a days worth of Crappie minnows for $5 and get free information, so I don't even bother using them.
At 20 to 25 dollars a dozen for shiners, id consider doing that.

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12' radius is huge. How on earth would one throw that, it's bigger than a bass boat is long.

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Originally Posted by speckfinder

12' radius is huge. How on earth would one throw that, it's bigger than a bass boat is long.

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He meant diameter. The measurement of nets, ie 4',5',6',8' and so on is the radius of the net.

I’ve seen a 12’ net thrown by someone that knew how, and he was all of 5’4” tall. It’s all technique. He threw perfect circles. He also got wet from throwing a portion of the net over his shoulder when he set it all up. Quite interesting.

Yeah they make em that big. I don't think I'd want to try and throw one of those.

the pet shop carries cheap bait if you cant find minnows and you like live bait . rosey reds are cheap in the pet shop ….fyi
cast nets are fine if you want to pitch them but most folks i know only use them for striper bait and catfish bait ...my 2 cents

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Originally Posted by speckfinder

12' radius is huge. How on earth would one throw that, it's bigger than a bass boat is long.

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Actually as nets go thats considered pretty small. Most of the guys in the keys are using 10 foot nets, and some use 12'.
You could find some videos of guys like Scott Walker throwing a 12 footer. I never used a net till I moved to the keys.
By then I was too old with too many issues to even start, especially with larger nets. A good 10' net will be very heavy due to all the lead.
Fact is a smaller net thrown even fairly well will produce better than a larger one thrown poorly. Also remember that with the larger ones, after the first throw you will get wet when using them due to how you have to load it.
There are numerous ways to throw them and lots of how to videos on you tube. I would at least start with a smaller net of say 5' and go out on the lawn and practice. Some of the videos are more of a watch me throw a net thing than having much detailed instruction. But some are very good and will have you throwing well enough to catch some bait.
Id be curios as to how many here use grass shrimp? That would seem far easier than throwing a net to me, and no doubt an effective bait.

I bought one for catfishing, has worked well after I figured how to throw and locate shad. I would suggest a 6' or so, to big and it is a pain to throw. I watched some videos and practiced in driveway. The shad are thick in my area, last time I went out I caught 30 in one throw. It is actually kinda fun to learn the technique and catch something. I did a little research and bought Betts cast net, also gave them a call and they were helpful

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=...Q9aACCFY&adurl=

Thanks for the info. My son and I did a little catfishing this summer. We'll definitely do more next year. If I don't get a freezer full of skipjack this spring, I'll get a cast net.

If you are using the net for crappie bait the 1/4” net is the ticket. I don’t use bait but some of my guest do. Shad up to 2” works far better than minnows. I throw a 6’ net and find it to be more than adequate for me. Being as there are a lot of Striper guides on Texoma cast nets are easy to come by in this area. I pay around $55.00 and the net last me about 3 years.

What brand of cast net is considered top quality?
Also which material is best ?
Mono ?


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The research I did ended up with Betts cast net. I went with mono and always rinse it out and dry it after I am done with the day. Hole size also makes a difference how fast it will sink. I might try this for Crappie also, I was out the other day and found small shad swimming all over, once you buy one you will be looking like you are a hunter. I always keep mine in the boat ready.

I am no expert just started using one two years back, it is fun and with your son can be a blast to catch your own bait.

Betts seems to be a popular brand name, but ive not used one.
The very reasonable ones feel like they are made with wire compared with the better ones which are softer and easier to throw. Same as comparing very cheap mono line to very good mono line for casting.
Guides tend to use custom made nets not only because of the quality, but for other reasons such as getting them repaired when they get damaged. Also they might have specific uses and opinions as for weight etc for their type use.
Tim Wade is very well known on the east coast, but there are others who are no doubt as good.
In Fellsmere Fl which is on the doorstep of Stickmarsh/Farm 13 and Garcia, there are 2 bait shops. One is called the Bait Bucket, run by a nice guy who also makes and repairs nets. He always has one hanging there on display and they look to be of excellent quality. He could answer lots of questions, especially if you speak Spanish. lol
So could Tim Wade, 321 508 2836 cell.

Sounds like your on your way to becoming a professional

Betts is Probally the most common cast net manufacturer. The " old salt" series is as good as you can get in its price range. I'd say a 6' is the most common net sold in the fresh water( you don't have to do all the folding and throw this half over your shoulder technique). Getting wet on the coast in 85-95 degrees is Probally a perk of the big nets but in a 50 degree morning on a southern lake in the fall and winter is something you don't want.

use jigs and forget minnows for crappie , unless you are in a tournament,then you need all the help you can get.

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Originally Posted by ichabod

use jigs and forget minnows for crappie , unless you are in a tournament,then you need all the help you can get.

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That's not what I asked.

Furflyin, I use a 1/4" mesh net to catch smallish shiners 3" class in a small farm pond/ cow watering pond. I use them for wintertime striper fishing. When you get a net, you can practice at home in the yard. It does take some practice. I'm right handed but couldn't throw the net that way, I throw it left handed. One trick to soften up a new net is to soak it in a bucket of water with a good bit of fabric softener. There is a sense of pride in catching a fish off of bait you caught, but times its cheaper to just buy it. Have you considered building you a large minnow tank and buying minnows buy the pound?

bearclaw, yes I have considered that. I could also get all the "free" minnows that I could stock the big tank with. Those free minnows take a lot of work to catch, wading in a very soft bottom little stream that runs beside the lake that I fish most often. It's full of mosquito fish and they worked very well for crappie for me earlier in the year. It's just a big pain to go catch them.

I think if you're wanting to catch the smaller bait get a smaller 1/4 but I would pay more for that net. If you catching catfish bait cheaper 3/8. I have 2 nets now and at one time had 4 for 5. This is a big topic in salt water fishing because of all the different bait you need at different times. Most have many nets check out Richard Geane, he has some videos on this.

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Check out this video
This little gal shows how to throw a cast net
Hope the link works. Skip the adds

YouTube


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Originally Posted by GreenLine

Check out this video
This little gal shows how to throw a cast net
Hope the link works. Skip the adds

YouTube






Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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What net?

I didn't see a net.:yikes

I do carry and throw a Betts 6' but with my skill level it is mostly for fun. A few weeks ago I went night fishing at Shoals Creek and carried minnows then it I realized what an idiot when I saw the baitfish. Watched a guy at my local ramp come and said he was headed catfishing. After 3 throws of the net he had several dozen shiners and 4 crappie that measured. Imagine his dilemma when he had to throw the crappie back just to go fishing for catfish for supper.

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I carry a cast net in my kayak,our state restricts the diameter to no larger than 6'( �� ).I have a few reasons for using a cast net ,1-There is a part of me that loves to learn and use alternative ways to make a go of things without depending on a store.2- there are no bait stores within 50 miles of me,that carry anything but worms / crickets as live bait.

I caught a few dozen 3" shad last night with my 7' x 3/8" cast net. , they lived about an hour in my engle bait keeper.

3/8" net mesh is too big for 3" shad, about half of them were half in and half out of the mesh, very difficult to remove, killed several of them just pushing them out of the mesh.

Fished with the shad for about an hour, no crappie. If I can figure out how to keep them alive, I'll buy a 1/4" mesh net.

You need a round tank for shad and a way to keep the water moving. A good bait tank is a must if you do it a lot. Rock salt helps among other tricks. You can keep them in a bucket for a hour or so if you just put a few in.

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Originally Posted by Northforker

I caught a few dozen 3" shad last night with my 7' x 3/8" cast net. , they lived about an hour in my engle bait keeper.

3/8" net mesh is too big for 3" shad, about half of them were half in and half out of the mesh, very difficult to remove, killed several of them just pushing them out of the mesh.

Fished with the shad for about an hour, no crappie. If I can figure out how to keep them alive, I'll buy a 1/4" mesh net.

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Similar experience when using my 3/8" mesh cast net ... some being caught in the mesh & injured or had many scales removed from being pulled or shaken from the mesh. I also did not have a round bait tank or livewell in the boat I had at that time, so they had to be put into the front livewell. I even added a pump to aerate the water ... something on the order of this, but not this brand :

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1H7DlTb24L.jpg

It did help keep the Shad alive longer than without one, but the downside was that the water foamed up pretty bad in short order and the power of the spray knocked even more scales off them. The one I had had a foam ring around the bottom of the pump, where the intake holes were, and that foam ring would clog up with scales pretty quick & have to be removed & cleaned & then replaced back onto the pump to keep it from burning out. It didn't bother me so much back then because I was mainly using the Shad as Hybrid Striper bait, and it didn't necessarily have to be "alive & kicking" to be functional bait.

I bought the 1/4" mesh net with the intention of catching smaller sized Shad for use as Crappie bait .... even knowing the downside of the livewell problems. I do know I tried it on several different occasions, but really don't remember whether or not any Crappie were caught with them. Probably not many, if any, or otherwise I would have remembered (& probably kept using it). That was back in the days when my buds & I were mostly using minnows (couple of decades ago), and hadn't quite gone primarily to using jigs ... so "free bait" was a plus, as long as it was schooled on the surface !!

Knowing what I know now, back then, I would probably have gotten a 8' net, rather than the 6' nets ... and I don't think they would have been much more, if any more, difficult to throw.